Most versatile style of loafer and how to wear them?
Hi all, I'm looking at revamping my summer wardrobe and I'm considering buying some loafers. What's everyone's opinion on the style that's most versatile? Penny, horsebit, leather, suade etc. Also what kinds of outfits go well with them apart from a more relaxed trouser in cotton or linen? For reference I've eyed these Grenson loafers on sale for £118 that are Goodyear welted and have a rubber sole which I'd prefer. I also have some Sperry gold cup boat shoes in leather, hence my eye being on the Grenson since they're suade for something a bit different.
50 Replies
Penny loafers are far and away the most versatile kind, but most loafers work with anything ranging from chino shorts to casual suits. Suede is more relaxed, but unless you plan on wearing them with worsted wool trousers they work well with most outfits.
I've found my burgundy leather penny loafers to be a good almost everything shoe
Versatility depends on what you wear. I love my black tassel loafers year round and my handsewn beefroll loafers in the summer
Darker brown suede are super versatile imo. I have a pair from JCrew (I think made by grant stone?) and they’re my go to during the summer along with a pair of rancourt beefrolls.
Any recommended brands?
Mine are Allen Edmonds which I got for 8 bucks at a thrift store
if you're going for burgandy beefrolls weejuns are still my number 1 pick, cheap enough that you can really beat the shit out of them and they look about as good as any shoe in that style will until you get into like, high quality cxl (which would be a waste for beefrolls imo)
Oh man I'm in the midst of a loafer dilemma myself right now. I tried on some beefroll pennys from Oak Street. I went to the store expecting to buy them, but something didn't feel right. I think I prefer a more European look, and maybe also suede, even though the brown chromexcel looks and feels so nice.
Getting into proper leather footwear is HARD
It's a lot of money, and really easy to screw up and get the size/fit wrong. (Ask me how I know)
I'm going to stick to brown leather sneakers from Ecco.
(Just kidding)
Meermin Shoes
114284 - DARK BROWN ALICANTE - E
Introducing a new version of a true customer favorite loafer: The Unlined classic penny loafer. This time made in an extremely soft brown full grain reverse calf suede, a truly versatile & updated version, to be more comfortable than ever. Featuring hand-sewn aprons, glove-like fit, fully unstructured & unlined
These are nice and have a slim, sleek shape to them. Would recommend getting the rubbersoles if possible too.
I realized that I am into thicker loafers like the Doc Martens style. Not for everyone but cool regardless
I've been wearing those Meermins a lot this summer. Great shoe for the price point. Very versatile imo. Leather for the colder months
Haha I actually recently ordered precisely these loafers (probably in the same sale) but had to return them as the fit wasn't right. I have come to believe that for loafers in particular it's best to try them on in person before buying.
In terms of versatility I think I see more mid/dark brown leather/suede than that colour but equally they were beautiful shoes and I was sad they didn't fit.
The loafers in the post are nice but the pointier toe imo makes them less versatile, slightly more formal. Rounder toe is going to be easier to dress down
Usually a mid brown suede penny loafer is a pretty braindead purchase, easily goes with dressier fits but goes just as well with denim, even light wash denim if it's a lighter shade of brown, like the ones you linked. The suede helps it branch across dressier and casual, but usually mean it's no longer a more formal shoe. For the average American, if you already have a pair of formal shoes and just want a workhorse shoe to wear about in the summer, lighter or mid brown suede penny is a great option.
I like the more modern style of loafer LP made popular in the summer walk/city walk
Style is getting copied everywhere now, so you can find a nice pair from a tier 2-3 brand for a few hundred
I just grabbed a pair of these https://www.careofcarl.com/bilder/artiklar/zoom/24710311r_3.jpg?m=1681214883
For a decorate-tongue style, I think penny over tassel. But to me, I prefer the modern minimal design
Hideous imo
yeah those are not it
No offense mate but they're the kind of shoes my 96 year old grandad wears when he's going out in the garden.
If your grandad gardens in LP I want to buy him a beer
I'm sorry but just because the rich people brand suddenly starts making garbage loafers does not make them cool or good looking
Most versatile style is definitely a penny loafer - very classic and easy to pair. As other have said, generally a mid-to-dark brown is the easiest to wear, and suede is a good casual choice that is easy to rock all the way up towards your usual trad/prep dress (read: chinos and blazers), or even casual/summer suits like seersucker, cotton or linen. It is pretty braindead to put together outfits, though, because most common colors work fine with brown.
For more formal loafers, you’d normally want to go to a grained leather - most preferably a calf - and a more almond toed last. These you can (arguably) wear beyond casual suits, and more generally with slacks.
There’s also tassel loafers, which are a fun piece of Americana, and have a fun blend of casual and prep… or make you look like an old man.
Venetian loafers are pretty slick. Belgian loafers are a bit dainty and chic. Bit loafers exist.
Best casual loafers for price/quality is from Grant Stone, imo. Meermin is just fine on the low end, and has unlined styles that are nice to wear. Alden is a very classic pick, as is GH Bass, or Ralph Lauren.
Well now I’m curious for a very critical opinion. What exactly is it about the summer walk that draws such scrutiny?
Exactly what the OP said, they look like shoes designed for old people who have ceased to care about fashion beyond "not a sneaker!"
To be precise, i think it is the white sporty sole that kinda reminds people of those sneaker dress shoes.
They also have the silhouette of the cheap shoes kids whose parents don't know better get for their first piano recital
If you are stylish enough, you might be able to pull them off though
I disagree. If you're stylish enough you wouldn't have bought them in the first place.
Is everyone wearing no-show socks or have you somehow figured out how to manage stank?
I got a pair of Loakes ☝🏽this week , the toe shape makes them look smarter , not sure how versatile they will be with jeans tbh
Ahhh yeah. That’d do it. A shame leather soles are so much less comfortable for walking any kind of distance.
Fit issue
I’ve walked 13+ miles in a day in leather soles. I definitely don’t think it’s a material issue
Same
Nah the whole design is just bad and then being the item for “quiet luxury” just makes it worse. Camp style soles are totally fine
IMO the LP walkers are just the Cole Haan / Allen Edmonds 'dress sneakers' abominations but it's LP so it's aspirational for the finance derps who missed the point of Succession.
Rotate your shoes.
Nasty bro, use socks
What I like about the summer walk, other than a comfortable sole and the supple feel of a slipper, is having the “signs of manufacturing” reduced to a minimum. There are no laces, no need for a saddle: no stitches save the minimum required to construct the shoe. It harkens back to a very old idea of elegance in clothing as not showing the work of the craft that created it. I will agree that the white sole makes them decidedly not fashionable. I think of them more as sneakers anyway.
My Brooks trainers are probably even less stylish…
I’ve been wearing the Uniqlo no show socks with loafers, for several years now. Low cut and stay hidden. Perfectly fine socks. Darn tough no shows for sneakers.
I’ve also seen Muji recommended for socks.
I’m sorry but these do not say elegance in any decade
You want minimalist elegance get wholecuts
Or Venetian loafers
The minimalist construction you’re referring to is just glue and plastic
Just get a Belgian or Venetian loafer that actually looks good
Badouin bb
Now that’s some elegance
is it just me or is pointy tipped penny loafers very formal looking? I got my loafers from Meermin and im not vibing with them honestly cause I feel like they look too formal
I got the burgundy leather ones, they are nice, i gotta break them in though but i feel like id wear them more with more formal setting
It's not really inherently more formal but many people interpret it that way. The style is really just more European and round toes are fairly American (there's a lot of exceptions on both sides).
On something like a loafer a more chiseled last can certainly take the shoe from being able to be dressed up and down a bit to looking weird in some outfits. But for many shoes I think it simply solidifies the formality or looks incredibly stupid. A handsewn moc with a chiseled toe is dumb. And few people even without any fashion knowledge would attempt to dress down a chiseled toe oxford.
not formal so much as european. that said, IMO none of Meermin's loafers are particularly chiseled. Most are on the Ron, I think; while they look more 'refined' than a classic round american style, they aren't particularly elegant and a are pretty easy to dress down.